Stage 1 commenced in November 2017. It assessed the current state of the Australia’s agricultural traceability systems, across most agricultural commodities, and reviewed global drivers for the future.

Stage 2 commenced in October 2018. It involves the development of a National Traceability Framework and Action Plan for enhancing Australia’s agricultural traceability systems.

Developing a national traceability framework

The second stage of the project is underway.

In the second stage, the working group, in consultation with industry, is developing:

a National Traceability Framework

an Action Plan to put the framework in place.

Public consultation

Consultation has now closed.

We sought feedback on the action plan template and the National Traceability Framework.

Agricultural industries will work closely with the Traceability Working Group to populate the action plan template. The final version will be published on the Department of Agriculture’ website in due course.

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What is traceability?

Traceability is
the ability to follow the movement of a product through stages of production, processing and distribution (ISO 2007).1

Australia’s agricultural traceability systems include all government regulation and industry arrangements that enable tracing of agricultural production and products, back and forward along entire supply chains. At each step in the supply chain, participants should be able to trace one step forward and one step back.

Why is traceability important?

Consumers and trading partners want to know more about the products they buy. Including information about:

food safety

animal and plant pest and disease status

provenance

authenticity

social matters such as sustainability, and animal welfare practices.

Good traceability supports claims made about food.

Australia has a reputation for exporting safe products that meet importing country requirements, and producing safe food for domestic supply.

This project will further enhance the integrity of our systems.

Many Australian agricultural producers and exporters already realise the commercial benefits of enhancing traceability. It improves competitiveness and provides assurance for customers.

Traceability Working Group

A cross-jurisdictional Traceability Working Group, led by the Commonwealth, with membership from the states and territories, is developing a national approach to Australia’s traceability systems. Members of the Traceability Working Group are listed below.

The Department of Agriculture is supporting the Working Group as the Secretariat and the point of contact for stakeholders.

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Their role

The role of the critical friends includes:

participating in working group meetings to stimulate broader thinking

engaging with agricultural industries (organisations and companies) to understand their systems—identifying areas for collaboration and links to government systems, drawing out potential road blocks

participating in national workshops/meetings that inform the policy development process

being available to provide advice to agriculture ministers on the national framework and any associated issues.

The three critical friends for the Traceability project are:

Tania Chapman –Chair of the Voice of Horticulture. Tania has been involved in the horticulture industry for many years, including as a citrus grower.

David Crombie –beef producer in Southern Queensland. David has been part of the beef industry for many years, including holding office with Meat and Livestock Australia and the National Farmers Federation.

Hermione Parsons –Industry Professor and Director of the Centre for Supply Chain and Logistics at Deakin University. Hermione has also worked with the Port of Melbourne and the horticulture industry.

Get involved

Industry input is critical to the success of this project. It will ensure it is truly an industry-government initiative.

Engagement activities will include:

workshops and meetings with key industry bodies and individuals

project updates on this page.

Contact

For more information, or to register your interest in this project, please contact Traceability Project

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.